Friday, November 28, 2008

Enough is enough

I went out into the broad and empty streets of this, one of the most crowded cities of the world, earlier this evening. It was an eerie experience - something vital had changed. It was almost as if fatigued, disheartened Mumbaikars had given up the fight..... fed up of watching the ghastly, macabre show of a city crumbling under the worst terrorist attack after 9\11. There wasn't a cop in sight all along Marine Drive, Mumbai's beautiful promenade, till my car reached the State Guest House on Malabar Hill. Two of my children, who were with me, commented it was scarey and strange that most areas of South Mumbai were unprotected , even as terror continued to reign a few kilometres away. Yes, it was indeed very strange ..... for we, the citizens, have the right to expect some level of security, given the extraordinary circumstances that had dominated our existence over the past 48 hours of non-stop violence. Of course, our police force is under tremendous pressure, and God knows the cops have done a commendable job, armed with nothing more lethal than lathis. Even so...Elsewhere in Mumbai, life had resumed its 'normal' pace. People in the untouched suburbs were out shopping, drinking, partying, clubbing, even celebrating.... as if nothing had happened.It baffled me initially... till I realised how childishly I was judging my own people. Should they have stopped living? Stayed glumly at home mumbling , "Oh my God! Oh my God!" Should anyone? Does that make them insensitive pigs? No. Not really. It is called the cycle of life. And death. Less than ten kilometres away, the battle was still raging..... The Taj was still burning.... and funeral pyres of those who had died in the blood bath, were being lit by sons, fathers, brothers and uncles. With a start and a shock like no other, I discovered I knew at least ten of those people being cremated tonight, even as I drove along grimly, wondering - 'what next? what now? Is the worst over??' 'Enough is enough' is now more than my 'quotable quote', more than a mantra.... it needs to become a movement and take every right thinking citizen along...

Count me in Shobhaa, I am just an youngster so I don't really have wisdom or maturity that just comes with age but there is this sense of unity among us even though our state is hit my tropical storm. Water everywhere people without houses yet people on the streets are taking about the lifes lost and the inability of our politicians even when their own possessions are under water. That is the extent to which this issue has affected us.

I think there is still one terrorist left inside the Taj. I ask you please dont stop this movement "enough is enough" People who have wide reach to the masses like you should use it to get the things done.

Make sure that you serve as our voices and let the people in power know what we want

I completely agree with you. Let "Enough is Enough" become more than a mantra. Let us make it the protest kit of this era. If the late 1960's French student protest movements created a world-wide stir, let this decade's civil protest movement from bottom-up create another reform.

It's time. I may be living miles away but in this time and age of turbulence and violence, our aspirations for a more tolerant and peaceful tomorrow remain central to our everyday living.

I saw your interview on NDTV today. I applaud you for making your stand public and for being courageous and bold in sharing your views about the state of governance in our country. Particularly your phrase "Enough is Enough" encapsulates the current situation like nothing else.

For whatever its worth, soon after I heard your interview, and well before I saw your blog, I felt compelled to use your phrase and your interview's link as my facebook update. 'Enough is Enough' is a call to action that will inspire many of us to join in whichever way we can - to seek the change that India and our way of life, so desperately needs.

I hope that as a journalist and an influence leader, you will continue to raise your voice and inspire and trigger this change.

Sitting seas away, still this whole gives me goosebumps. I have not been able to come to terms with this yet. How? Why? Honestly, it's ENOUGH... If we show resilience now, we are no better than cowards.

"enough is enough" today everyone can be heard just saying that...we have been glued to the tv seems like forever now..still in the hope that it will end soon...but along with all the sorrow i salute the the indian army,navy,ats n the taj staff.

whatever people say but we all know that mumbai will never be the same, it cannot be the same. india will not be the same...

it needs to become a movement and take every right thinking citizen along.....

How Shobhaa, how? Are we allowed to? You will say, stand up, make your own decision if you are not allowed to? It doesn't work that way. Many have tried. Many will try. There will be Rahul Raj (he was foolish yet brave enough than u n me) turning up now n then, but at present we are all hopeless, completely shattered as if life has been snatched. We are living corpses. How the hell are we supposed to rise like a phoenix in this country which cannot understand the seriousness of it now also. Authorities have started blame game already. What chance a common man got here? RDB doesn't happen in real life.

What do you accept aam aadmi to do when he cant even voice his opinion on internet. What is the guarantee that some radical won't react to it a la it happened to a b'lore techie who was wrongly taken in custody. Crime. He had voiced his opinion against Shiv Sainiks.

That was just an example. We are not protected whatsoever in any ways. We are orphan in our own country.

But do you think it will be sharp and incisive enough to cut through the thick skins of powers that be? You know those who trample on the feelings of the majority to pander to the whims of the minority in the garb of secularity?

ECHOING WHAT SOMEONE SAID ABOUT EXCESSIVE TOLERANCE AND RESILIENCE BEING SYNONYMOUS WITH COWARDICE. ITS GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE LIKE YOU SHOBHA TO ENSURE WE DON'T SINK INTO APATHY AS SOON AS THIS IS OVER...UNTIL THE NEXT TIME???? SOUNDS STRANGE BUT THE COUNTRY NEEDS YOU AND THE LIKES OF YOU. PEOPLE WHO CAN TRULY REPRESENT THE INDIAN CITIZEN'S ASPIRATIONS FOR SAFETY. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO STEP INTO PUBLIC LIFE AND POLITICS, WELL ITS UNDERSTANDABLE. BUT SURELY THERE MUST BE ANOTHER WAY THAT YOU CAN LEAD A MOVEMENT THAT JUST MIGHT SHAME OUR POLITICOS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ROT?

Shobha-ji,Thank you for your stong response to Barkha Dutt in your TV interview with her. I just have one question for all Indians:Why is our government so dependent on Pakistan government's opinion and help to protect India against terrorism?The truth is that our politicians are using strategies that are older than themselves. We look like we are begging Pakistan to cooperate. But honestly what is the point of blaming a country like Pakistan. The United States is well aware that this country is largely lawless. By some estimates more than 50 percent of the country is not under government rule and they run their own parallel governments. Why are we wasting our bandwidth trying to opern our airspace, rail roads and waters to the most dangerous place on earth? Every terrorist incident of significance in the last 5 years has originated in Pakistan. When will we started taking steps to protect ourselves and making our national security world class? Everytime there is an attack our government puts another band-aid on our bleeding wounds and goes back to sleep! Can Mumbai inspire this country out of complacency? Or we destined to be broken up into many countries?Sincerely,Amit

dear mam,it,s time for the apathy to be overcomed and time for a decision to act with a specific,concrete way to deal with terrorism to honour all those people who have passed away and the brave souls those who laid there lifes saving people in the incident&for the very sake of our countryregardss.v.siva reddy9866690101

dear mam,it,s time for the apathy to be overcomed and time for a decision to act with a specific,concrete way to deal with terrorism to honour all those people who have passed away and the brave souls those who laid there lifes saving people in the incident&for the very sake of our countryregardss.v.siva reddy9866690101

Presume the official count of people who lost lives will be half than the reality....

our police and military have done their job.... and done it well.... Salutations to them...

Now we turn to the so called leaders (politicians) to see if what they can do.... will it be only finger pointing and than forgetting.... or will the guilty be found and punished, and security tightened up so that nothing like this ever happen again???

Unfortunately i doubt if we will be satisfied with what they do....

They have one guy alive and he has now started delivering information... will India be able to act on that information, if need be enter pakistan and take out the planners???? this is the big question now...

After all the speeches are over and all the press conferences ended, what is the next step?After the microphones are turned off, what happens?

I see, the mother crying every time she looks at the garlanded picture of her son.I see, the wife shed silent tears, every time she sees the empty chair on the dining table.I see, the father put on a brave front, each time he sees his son’s motorcycle.I see, a child ask his mother “when will papa come home?”I see, a colleague stop and look at the empty chair in the room next to him.I see, the hotel waiter, shudder each time, he hears a loud noise.I see, a brother, see his empty wrist on Rakhi.I see, a neighbor miss his early morning walk partner.

Then, I see, the netaji give another public speech, promising to punish the murderers.Then, I see, the corporate CEO, announce another sponsorship for another cricketer.Then, I see, the family of the martyred soldiers, struggling to get the promised help and money from the government.Then, I see, an innocent man beaten up, only because he is a muslim.Then, I see, neighbors that once lived as brothers, now suspecting each other.

no, we will not be divided. we would not reply with violence. But will scream, scream till our voices are heard and we are protected.

I wish we could vote for people and not parties. I wish I could give a vote for Milind Deora the only politician who was there... doing what he should be doing. His empathy was revealed in his eyes. He condemned Politicians long support assurance and speeches, even though the prime minister who gave the best speech(pun intended) prepared by his secretary... belongs to his party- congress. It really didnt matter which party he belonged to.

And we had people from other states come here... WHY? WHY? what work did a narendra modi have here... he could have made the "compensation" announcement from gujarat itself.

Well I stay at Marine Drive and there is a wedding in the Sri Niketan Garden today. So After the eerie silence for two days. And the rumour of firing yesday at 12 noon, due to which all the main gates of the building were shut. Today we had Baraati dancing in the lane.

I strongly feel that our tunnel is infested with vote-based, self-serving politians. I am at a loss as to where is the solution and how do we see any light at the end of this tunnel. Very sad if democracy is going to be the ultimate victim.

Dear Shobhaa,You expressed the sentiments of billions of Indians. Thank you. These leaders cloister themselves in citadels, surrounded by army for their security. Gosh:;Give us Indians a break. Thousands of crores is spent on security for our Public Servants, but not enough to beef up the security of this country. Let all politicians voluntarily give up their security and live with their subjects. Not in their Iron clad palaces.We have had enough of our Politicians, our dysfunctional Democracy. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.We are with you all the way, in grief for the Mumbaites, our fellow citizen. We live 100s of miles from Mumbai, in Tamil Nadu. It is with pride that I reside in rural India. These residents were in grief.We woke up to the horrific news of Mumbai under seige. Hindu, muslim, christian were in shock. Functions were suspended. Here the spirit of India exists. Panchayat leaders met and expressed their solidarity to their fellow brethren.

I strongly agree 'ENOUGH IS INDEED ENOUGH", a lot has to be done to redeem our beloved city, from the hands of not just, across the border terrorism but also save it from 'internal terrorists - like corrupt politicians, inept judiciary system, weak law and order situation, and un-fit security personnel amongst many others. A 'common mans' movement has to START RIGHT NOW. Shobhaa a sincere yet stern request, please, comments that divide, be it a city, communities or a nation is definitely not the need of the hour, it atleast, does not befit the so-called intelligentsia of the country to speak immaturely. Whatever 'suburban-divisions' if any are there, are not to be paid any heed, and if you do see them, know they exist only in your mind and these cobwebs have to be removed. THE NEED OF THE HOUR IS A UNITED CITIZENS MOVEMENT OF WHICH YOU, I AND EVERYONE ELSE IS AN INTEGRAL PART. Do we have any other option? LETS ACT FAST ENOUGH, SO WE ARE NOT MUTE SPECTATORS AND ARE IN A POSITION TO ACT, IF ANYONE EVEN RAISES SO MUCH AS AN EYE AT OUR MOTHERLAND.

I have to say that due to the over usage of your now famous quotable quote, it wrongly only suggests an anger outburst/a sort of knee jerk reaction from an overtly passionate citizen of the victim city/country. I would like to stress to readers that at least Shobhaa’s own comments are not one-dimensional and clearly a lot of thought has been given to this entire ordeal by her.I must admit, I haven’t till recently realized the vast body of work you have been associated with over your career. But I saw a few news channel videos of you over these recent few days and through all of them I have been so impressed by your forthrightness and courage to say it as it is when required. I’m a 22 year old Shobhaaji, I want to say that I really look up to you from the way you have initiated this and please keep every ardent fan of you, which surely now includes me, very proud. And I’m sure you will. Best of luck with everything to you and lastly I hope and pray sincerely that every Indian involved in this horrible event pulls through. PS if you could in your next blog, try brainstorming some ideas for ways in which Indians and NRIs could help out the affected Mumbai people. I know it isn’t your job, but I’m sure people want to help. I know I do.

PLEASE GO THROUGH THE NEXT FEW PAGES. THIS MAY HELP US IN BRINGNING ABOUT A NEW INDIA. ARE YOU NOT SICK OF THESE INNEFFICIENT POLITICIANS?? AND THE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE

ITS TIME TO STOP BLAMING THE SYSTEM…. JUST CRUSH THE SYSTEM ITSELF… NOW.. WE HAVE HAD TOO MUCH OF THIS…..

YES YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFRENCE

1. The present system of political system- The so called ‘Democracy’ , as seen form the last 60 yrs of its existence has been a great failure. From the idea mooted of being a ‘by the people, for the people and to the people’ it has turned out to be a “by the people for the politicians” system of democracy. Not much has to be told to explain to you the utter failure of the present system and the almost irreparable damage it has caused to us as a nation.

2. Probably for a country like India whose diversity, social structure, cultural richness, economic growth etc. can never be drawn parallel to any country in this world, we need a different kind of system to exist and take us through.

3. One such system could be what I would like to call the “ABSOLUTE DEMOCRACY”

4. Before progressing with my ideas I would like to mention to you that I have a rather very bleak idea of political systems existing in the world including Democracy, Communist ideals, Dictatorship etc. However my ideas are probably a result of very simple logical reasons and their probable solutions as per my ability. There may exist better solutions and ideas which could possibly better this concept.

5. Certain flaws in the present system:a. Ministers who handle various ministries have absolutely no idea of the office they are handling except for a very few of them. Their knowledge of the subject is zero and hence their utility to the nation remains in just penning signatures (if they are literate enough) and appearing for inaugurations etc.b. Ministers often are involved in political campaigning of their own parties for various elections (assembly/ state/ and even municipal). All this at the cost of various high level committees which are left out waiting just for their presence in the GoM. c. Appointment of a minister itself is a joke wherein the leaders of political parties who have provided (read as sold) maximum no of seats are allotted key ministries to keep them happy and to make them feel that they are part of the government too!d. Even the prime minister becomes the puppet under the system irrespective of the fact whether he wants to do something or not.e. The huge amount of money spent by the political parties for the elections is a national waste. Firstly where does this huge huge amount of money come from? See the pamphlets , flags , rallies , gifts etc. This is surely our own money! f. The process of trading seats to obtain a majority ! so where is the democracy there? Did we the citizens want that to happen?g. Every political party has its own “agenda” if they come to power. Where does that go after they come to power?6. Also the President of India is just a ceremonial appointment. ‘Rubber stamp’ as we all call the post. Is it really so worthless or powerless an appointment which only addresses the nation on important occasions or welcomes foreign dignitaries.

7. Is it not a shame to hear our very own President and Prime minister reading out monotonously from the text (written by their secretaries) scrolling on a TV screen kept beside the camera even after 200 people are killed by terrorists? Are they so inefficient?

ABSOLUTE DEMOCRACY

8. This system may replace the existing system of political parties. Actually the necessity to have a political party was probably to set a certain goal and all the members of that party striving to achieve that one set goal. Yes we do have one such goal in all our political parties- To retain / come to power and to make the most of it as long and as fast as possible.

9. SCRAP THE SYSTEM OF POLITICAL PARTIES. We can do with individual members elected in the existing way who do not represent any particular party.

10. Persons who wish to participate in the election will get themselves registered with the election commission. They must be literate enough and must possibly be a person who has certain ideas for improvement of his constituency.

11. The person be provided a particular amount of money (very nominal depending on the population of the constituency) for propaganda. No pamphlets, no flags, no rallies. He can go from home to home and educate the citizens of his ideas. All the contestants be allowed to address the citizens at certain central places depending on the population and the size of the constituencies under the official arrangements of the election commission . Each contestant be allowed to address the public for a fixed period time one after the other. No grand arrangements required . Just a public address system. And probably a few chairs for the aged to sit down and listen. No topics related to religion, caste, region, POLITICAL PARTY and other instigating topics be allowed to be spoken. Anybody who speaks them be disqualified and return back the amount given by election commission and be criminally charged and put to jail.

12. After the election, contestants failing to obtain a prescribed minimum % of votes to return back part of money given to them by the election commission.

13. In the meanwhile the election commission is to prepare a list of eminent personalities who can take over the duties of PM, cabinet ministers. The list may have a fixed number of names say 5 or 10. The ministers are to be people who are completely aware of their particular ministries. For example the finance minister be an eminent economist, the home minister a retired IPS officer, the defence minister an ex- serviceman, the foreign minister an ex- IFS officer and so on. Also the ministries be already fixed as per requirement of the nation.

14. After the election process is over. All the newly elected members of the parliament be addressed by these list of personalities and the nation at the parliament house for a fixed period of time about their vision for, say 30 min each for the PM, finance, home, defence ministers etc and a slightly reduced time for other minor ministries.

15. After this, all the members of the house be allowed to cast their votes in the house using electronic voting machines for each of the ministers. Thereafter the ministers selected be allowed to vote in for the prime minister of their choice.

16. At each level i.e, the contestant who comes second be made his deputy. And in case of ministers be made the minister of state for that particular ministry. And similarly the post of Dy PM by the person coming second.

17. The ministers and PM need not be a member of the parliament.

18. At any time in case the elected member if found to be inefficient, that particular constituency be allowed to vote for the removal of the person. A minimum period of 1 year to be given to the elected member before this process can begin. Similar process for other ministers and the PM wherein members of parliament vote them out for being inefficient. In all cases the person next in the line (on basis of number of votes secured initially) to take over the position and the person next in line to become his deputy. No need for separate election. This system may also be used in case of natural death of the elected member/ minister. Else election be conducted again. IN CASE THE MEMBER RAKES UP ISSUES REALTED TO RELIGION/ CASTE/ REGIONALISM/POLITICAL PARTY ETC, HE BE REMOVED FROM HIS OFFICE AND CRIMINAL ACTION TAKEN AGAINST HIM.

19. The whole system to function for a period of 5 years. A member once elected not to be allowed to contest for a period of 5 years again. A maximum of 2 tenures as the member of parliament, 2 more tenures as a minister/ Minister of State and 2 more tenures as PM/ Dy PM only be allowed to prevent stagnation. Incase the person is very efficient in handling that post he may be later selected as an advisor if required.

20. Fixed working periods in the year similar to the present system. Rest of the time the MP’s to be present at their constituency. An office be provided at the constituency. MP to carry out his work from the office. Fixed period for tours of his constituency.

21. Fixed working hours in a day within which the PM / Ministers / MPs will not be allowed to do unofficial work like inaugurations, award ceremonies etc.

22. Salary to be given to each of the MPs , ministers and PM which are commensurate with their posts. A strict check to be maintained to check their wealth and income.

23. Incase the MP / minister / PM being a salaried employee before the elections, provision to be created to exempt the period of office in the Parliament and after the completion of tenure reinstate back him/ her minimum at the same designation at which the member left the office. Also the same to be authorized for the duration of election campaign to other members who fail to become the MP/ deputy MP etc. Also suitable compensation be provided if the person was from the unsalaried class/ business man/ woman.

24. With this I come to the end of my idea of ‘Absolute Democracy’ . This can obviously be improved upon by eminent people with better understanding of political field, administration, law and management.

25. Certain opposition that this system may draw will be on account of the following.This will only involve probably a majority of the educated class. Hence the rural side will be left out. SOLUTION : Don’t worry the educated class realize the importance of rural India. Also members may be from the rural class. Who is stopping them? No money / politics is involved. So anybody can stand for the elections and win if suitable. EVEN YOU!

26. Will this derail the present system of administration as a whole? No it only modifies the way our representatives are elected. No change is being made to the system as such. Hence the relationship between the judiciary, bureaucracy and the democratic setup remains intact . it would be just free of dirty politics.

27. If none of these seem logical, atleast the fact that last 60 yrs have made hardly any good for the nation seems a viable logic. We can atleast try something new.

So fellow citizens lets join hands and try to make a difference. Let us all start a movement to get this moving. Assembly elections are nearing. We may save valuable money if we act fast.ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN:

1. FILE A PETETION IN THE SUPREME COURT IMMEDIATELY TO STAY THE COMING ASSEMBLY ELECTION FOR ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS TILL THIS NEW SYSTEM CAN BE FORMULATED. APPROVAL OF SUPREME COURT BE AVAILED AND LAWS MODIFIED TO SUPPORT IMPLEMEMNTATION OF THE SYSTEM AND TO PUNISH THE DEFAULTERS.

2. A NATION WIDE MOVEMENT TO MAKE THE COUNTRY ESPECIALLY THE RURAL POPULATION AWARE OF THIS NEW IDEA.

3. NO NEED FOR A POLITICAL COUP / TAKE OVER. THIS SYSTEM WILL JUST REPLACE THE NEXT GOVERNMENT LEGALLY ( ONCE THE LAWS ARE AMMENDED SUITABLY).

4. MEDIA TO PLAY A VERY MAJOR ROLE IN CREATING AWARENESS AND CREATE A MOVEMENT IN THE NATION SUPPORTING THE ‘ABSOLUTE DEMOCRACY’ . BUT ALL MOVEMEMENTS MUST BE PEACEFUL.

5. INVOLVEMENT OF THE EDUCATED AND ELITE CLASS, LAW MAKERS, RETIRED BUERAUCRATS, INDUSTRIALISTS, MANAGEMENT GURUS TO SIT DOWN AND FINE TUNE THIS SYSTEM TO BE IMPLEMENTED. FOR THIS A GROUP BE FORMED WITH PERMISSION OF THE SUPREME COURT / PRESIDENT.

6. GRADUALLY THIS SYSTEM TO TAKE OVER IN ALL STATES.

7. A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS TO EXPERIMENT WITH THIS SYSTEM. IF IT FAILS THEN WE CAN FALL BACK TO THE EXISTING SYSTEM..

WHY NOT GIVE THIS A TRY???

CERTAIN URGENT REFORMS REQUIRED (SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT)

1. ALL POLITICAL GROUPS BE COMPLETELY ABOLISHED. NO SYSTEM OF ELECTIONS IN COLLEGES/ UNIVERSITIES AND TRADE UNIOUNS AND THE LIKES OF IT BASED ON POLITICAL GROUPS (LIKE NSUI / ABVP / INTUC etc) . IS IT REQUIRED??

2. ACADEMIC SYLLABUS ALL OVER THE NATION TO HAVE CHAPTERS RELATED TO THE NATION, SOCIAL REFORMS, SACRIFICES OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS , THE ARMED FORCES, HERIOC DEEDS OF THE NATION’S SECURITY FORCES (INCLUDING POLICE) . EXAMS TO BE CONDUCTED ON THIS SUBJECT EVEN AT POST GRADUATE LEVELS. IF NOT SOON OUR YOUNGER GENERATION WILL NOT BE AWARE OF THE SACRIFICES AND THE DAY WILL NOT BE FAR WHEN THERE WILL BE NO PEOPLE JOINING ARMED FORCES , POLICE AND OTHER FORCES. THEN WHO WILL GUARD YOU??

3. COMPULSORY ENROLLMENT INTO EITHER NCC OR NSS FOR STUDENTS UPTO GRADUATION. MINIMUM 2 YEARS OF SOCIAL SERVICE IN RURAL AREAS / TERRITORIAL ARMY/ PARAMILITARY FORCES/ POLICE / EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE( FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS) AFTER COMPLETION OF GRADUATION. GOVT TO TAKE CARE OF ALL NECESSITIES AND GIVE STIPEND DURING THE ABOVE PERIOD. PEOPLE JOINING ARMED FORCES / PARAMILITARY FORCES/ POLICE / IAS / OTHER GOVERNMENT JOBS BE EXEMPTED FROM THIS.

4. A SPECIAL SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANISATION BE STARTED TO ORGANISE THIS LARGE SCALE MOVEMENT TO SERVE ALL QUARTERS LIKE RURAL AREAS/ SLUMS/ ILLITERATE PEOPLE/ POOR/ OLD AGED PEOPLE/ CHILDREN/ EMERGENCY SERVICES / ANTI-CORRUPTION FORCE ETC

5. IT IS WE WHO CAN DO SOMETHING. DON’T JUST KEEP FORWARDING MAILS. IT HELPS IN DOING NOTHING.

6. REMOVE ALL RESERVATIONS BASED ON CASTE ,CREED AND RELIGION. ACTUALLY WE HAVE CAUSED A RIFT IN THE NATION BY THIS POLICY OF RESERVATION RATHER THAN MAKING IT SECULAR. RESERVATIONS TO BE BASED ONLY ON ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF THE POPULATION.

Dear Shobhaa DeYour article that next attack by these terrorists may come from air, has forced me to share my gut feeling which i hope and pray never comes out to be true.That is BLASTING OF AIRINDIA AIRCRAFT TO NEWYORK WITH 300 PASSENGERS ON BOARD .This can be very easily done from the Slums adjoining the taxytrack of our main runway of Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport by aiming a handheld missile or any powerful gun [of which today is no shortage] from the slums,as the distance is not more than 500 meters.As you know that these slums got protection from [Late] Sh Sunil Dutt and Ms Shabana Azmi and they were not removed when the major works to upgrade this airport started. In today's senario, to me, this looks very very feasible.As your words have far more weightage[mine is zero] if you agree please bring itup in any fora that you think fit and i am available for any other questions that you may have.manohar.sharma@hotmail.com

madam,enough was already enough when kashmir was attacked, enough was already enough when hyderabad was attacked, enough was already enough when ahmedabad was attacked, enough was already enough when delhi was attacked. where was your voice lost then? You sound hypocritical at your selective remarks. we'll stand by Bombay in these difficult times.

madam,it matters to me as a citizen, because you're being watched all over the country. the way you've lambasted the govt. on the first day of attacks was emotional and understandable. but, your statement 'enough is enough' is uncalled for. our country has seen enough over the years and please restrain from making such statements and focus on constructive solutions for the problem.

Today we are not helpless. We have One Voice One Vote. Indians from across all borders(States)need to BOYCOTT ELECTIONS. After 100 years, let us learn from our founding Fathers- Civil Disobedience.You youngsters need to rise.Enough is Enough is what you launch right now.